Belt fastening means



Feb. 22, 1944.

Filed Dec. 20, 1941 1 6| 7, 8 12 'n 78 15 F'Q' v INVENTOR. o c a o 4Haro/d 0. Mur/:hey

"l BY 7W 2f' A Fig. 7

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 22, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BELT FASTENING MEANSHarold 0. Murphey, Lincoln, Nebr. Applicafionnecember 2o, 1941,seria1No.42s,777

6 Claims.

'I'he present invention is concerned with a belt fastening means andmore particularly one of the type employing wedging means for securingtwo overlapping portions of a belt together.

It iscustomary to employ some metal fastening means for securing twoportions of a belt together in overlapping relationship. In the case ofan ordinary belt forming part of wearing apparel, this fastening meansusually takes the form of a metal buckle of either the prong or camfastener type. The employment of a metal buckle of the cam fastenertypeoften results in the belt being excessively abraded by the cam.Besides, the cost of manufacture of any metal buckle adds considerablyto the cost-of the belt and in periods of national emergency, suchbuckles require the use of materials for which there is demand for otherpurposes.

An object ofthe present invention is to provide a belt fastening meansin which all of the elements of the fastening means are formed of-material having substantially the same properties as the belt itself. s

Broadly, an object of my invention is to provide a coupling comprisingtwooverlapping portions of flexible yieldable material, a Wedge shapedportion of a similar material secured to one of said portions, and aloop 'which clamps the overlapping portions together against the wedgeshaped surface.

vA further object of the present invention is to' provide such acoupling in` which the wedge shaped member is tapered both in thicknessand, in width so as to provide a wedging action in two directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide lsuch an arrangement inwhich the wedge shaped' member is looped over the end of the portion towhich it is attached and provides two wedge faces on opposite sides ofsaid portion.

Alternatively, a further object of the invention is to provide anarrangement in which a single wedge shaped member is used and in whichthe portion to which it is attached is looped over the wedge shapedmember. l A further object of the present invention is to provide anarrangement according to either of the last two objects in .which aguiding loop is disposed between the wedge shaped member and the portionto which it issecured. A further object `of the invention is to providesuch an arrangement in which the portion to which the wedge, shapedmember is secured has a stud projectingtherefrom and in'which the otherportion has a plurality of openings into any one of which said studisadapted to extend. g Further objects of the invention will be apparentfrom a consideration ofthe accompany# ing speciiication, claims, anddrawing of which: y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a belt employing my improved beltfastening means;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the fastening means with the loops shownin section; Figure 3 is a front elevational View of one end portion ofthe belt with the other end portion being shown in dotted lines;

Figure Llis a vertical sectional View with the section being taken alongthe line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a plan View, with the loops being shown in section, of amodified form of the belt fastening means;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of a further modified form; and

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the belt fastening means ofFigure 6. v

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed understanding of myinvention, and more particularly to Figure `1 of the drawing, it will benoted that the belt fastening means is shown in connection with a belt IIl. This belt is formed of leather or some similar llexible yieldablematerial. 'Ihe belt is provided with two end portions which aredesignated generally by the reference numerals II and I2. The endportion I I is normally the free end portion and isthe one which ismoved in connecting and disconnecting the belt. The portion I2 usuallyremains relatively stationary with respect to the clothing. Loopedaround the end of portion I2 is a wedge member It. In the preferredspecies, this wedge shaped member is provided with two tapered portionsI5 and I6 which are disposed on opposite sides of the portion I2 and arestitched to the wedge member as indicated by numeral I I in Figure 3.Not only is the member Ill tapered as to thickness adjacent its ends butit is also tapered as to width. While both portions I5 and I6 of thewedge shaped member I4 can be tapered as to their width, it ispreferable that only the portion I6 be so tapered. As indicated inFigure 6, this is done by cutting' the portion I6 away along diagonallines I8 and I9 extending from the end a substantial distancerearwardly. -Ihe importance of this feature will be discussed ater.

Leather, and some other materials of which belts are made are providedwith a smooth iinished face and a rough face. Where the material hasthis characteristic, it is desirable that the rough face of member I4 bedisposed outwardly as indicated by the stippling of Figure 3. s Thewedge shaped member I4 is secured to the end portion I2 in such aposition that a space is left between the end of portion I2 and theinner surface ofthe end of the loop. Before the wedge shaped member I4is stitched to the end portion I2, the-ends of a loop `2| are insertedin this space so that the stitching holds the loop 2I in posb tion andretains it in its loop shaped form. This loop 2|, as will be clearlater, functions as a guiding loop.

Slidably disposed on the portion I2 is a second loop 22 which acts as aclamping loop. The ends of this loop may be secured together in anysuitable manner. As shown in Figure 4, they may be bevelled, overlapped,and stitched together. The width of loop 22 is of considerableimportance, as will be explainedlater.

Both loops 2| and 22 may be formed -of any desired material but forpurposes of simplicity in manufacture, it is desirable that these loopsbe formed of the same material as the other elements. Not only does thissimplify the manufacture but the resilient, yieldable characteristics ofsuch material aid in the action of the clamping loop 22.

When it is desired to fasten the two end portions II and I2 together,the portion II is placed through the guiding loop 2| and is propelledforwardly until the belt has approximately the desired degree oftightness about the body 'of the wearer. During this operation, the loop22 is preferably in a position such as shown in Figure 3. In thisfigure, the portion II is indicated merely in broken lines. When thefree end portion |I is in the desired position, the loop 22 is movedtowards loop 2 I. Preferably, the depth of the loop 22 is such thatwithin the extent of diagonal lines I8 and I9, it will begin to rmlyclamp end portions II and I2 and the portions I and I6 of wedging memberI4 tightly together. As is evident from Figure 2, the depth of the loop22 is greater at the left hand end than at the right hand end. In otherwords, the front and rear walls of the loop are inclined, thisinclination conforming to that of the wedge faces of portions I5 and I6.The loop is originally formed in this manner so that it exerts itsclamping effect over the entire area of its front and rear walls. Thisnot only increases the clamping eiect but also decreases the tendency ofthe loop to stretch with use.

The action of clamping loop 22 tends to force the end portion Il againstthe wedge shaped front face of loop I4 and also against the wedge shapedsurfaces I8 and I9. Any tendency of the portion Il to be pulled to theleft causes this wedging action to be increased. The -result is that theportions II and I2 are held firmly together and will resist aconsiderable force tending to pull them apart. Furthermore, the `forcewhich the loop will resist is considerably greater when this force isdirected along the curved lines which the belt tends to follow when wornon the body of the wearer. In other words, the fastening means is suchthat it resists a considerably stronger force in an arcuate directionthan in a lateral direction.

It is desirable but not necessary that the material employed be slightlyhygroscopic. I .have found where the material is somewhat hygroscopic asis the case with leather, that moisture tends to be absorbed from thebody and causes the friction between the overlapping portions :to bematerially increased.

Species of Figure 5 In the species of Figure 5, one end ofthe belt islooped around the wedge shaped member rather than having the wedgeshapedmember looped around the'end of the belt.

Thus, referring to Figure 5, the ,belt vend portions corresponding toend portions II .and `I2 7 by the reference numerals 65 andSB.

have been designated by the reference numerals 4| and 42. The wedgeshaped member is designated by the reference numeral 44. It will benoted that the end of belt 42 is bent back as at 45 and folded Yuponitself, the nal portion being preferably slightly tapered #as at '4B toincrease the wedging action. As with the previous species, suiicientspace is left between the edge of the wedge shaped member 44 and thebight of the .loop to accommodate the ends of a loop .5I correspondingto loop 2|. It is to be understood that the inner ends of loop 5I, thewedge shaped member, and the overlapping portions of the belt endportion 42 are stitched together. Slidably disposed on the end portion42 is a clamping loop 52. The belt portion 4I is designed to freelyslide vin the guiding loop 5| and to be clamped against the inclinedsurface of the end portion y42. It is to be noted that the rough side ofthe leather will be engaged by the portion 4I. The clamping loop 52 is,of course, Iof such depth as to firmly clamp the members together whenthe loop is at a suitable position along the inclined surface.

The species of Figure 5 is similar to that -of AFigures 1 to 4 in thatit relies entirely upon the wedge action for retaining the belt endportions in their relative positions. Furthermore, it is similar in thatthe guiding loop is retained between the wedge member and the belt, oneof these two being looped over the other to surround the inner portionvof the guiding loop.

Species of Figures 6 and 7 The species of Figures 6 and 7 is similar invall respects to that of Figures l to 4 with the exception that a studis associated with the fixed belt portion, this stud being designed to`cooperate with holes placed in the free end portion. In this figure,the free end portion is designated by the reference numeral 6I and thefixed end p0rtion by the reference numeral G2. The wedge member isdesignated by the reference numeral 64 and its two longitudinallyextending portions Theguding loop is designated by the vreferencenumeral 1| Vand the clamping loop by the yreference numeral 12. It isbelieved unnecessary to ,describe the relationship of these .elements asthey 4occupy exactly the same relationship to each ,other .as do thecorresponding elements of Figures 1 t0 4. To facilitate a comparison ofthe two figures, the elements in Figures 6 and '7 have beengivenreference numerals exactly fifty higher than the correspondingreference Ynumerals in Figures `1 to 4.

The difference between the presently described species and that ofFigures 1 to 4 is in thelocation `of a headed stud I5 within'the xedbelt portion 62. This stud comprises a stem portion 'I5 and a headportion TI. The'stud 'I5 may preferably bein the form of a conventionalrivet such as used in harness work. The head 11 is interposed betweenthe portion B5 of the Wedge member 64 and the belt end portion 62. Thestem 'I6 extends through a pair of aligned openin-gs in the .beltportion 62 and portion G6 of wedge member 64. The free belt portion 6Iis provided with a series of openings I8 which are of slightly greatercross section than that of stem 16. The stem 'I6 vis of such length thatit not only projects through the openings in the portions 62 and l-66but is adapted to extend just through one of the openings 'I8 when vthebelt portion 6I is closely engaged against the wedging surface of`portion 65 In use, the free end portion 6| is drawn through the guidingloop H until the belt is at approximately the desired position. This endportion now is manipulated until stem 16 projects through the openin-g13 which will cause the end portions 6| and 62 to assume relativepositions closest to that desired. Ihe clamping loop 12 is now moved tothe left as before to iirmly clamp the two belt portions 6| and 62 withrespect to each other.

In this arrangement, the belt is held by the clamping action obtainedwith the arrangement of Figures 1 to 4 and is also held by thecooperation of stem 16 with the hole in which it is inserted. Theclamping loop 12 plays a double function in not only aiding the clampingaction but also in holding the belt end portion 6| closely adjacent tothe underlying portion 66 so that the stem 16 will remain in the opening18. It will be obvious that if the loop 12 were not provided, the endportion 6| would tend to move outwardly so as to clear the end o-f thestem 16 and permit separation of belt portions El and 62. Not only doesthe loop 12 aid the action of the stud 15 in retaining the end portion1.2 in position laterally but it also tends to reduce the strain whichmight be placed on the stud 15. In other words, the belt portion 12 byitself, tends to prevent any longitudinal movement between end portions6l and 62. As a result, if the stud. is subjected to any force, thisforce is very slight. Ii some such clamping means as is provided by theWedge shaped surface were not provided, the entire force tending toseparate belt portions 6| and 62 would be applied to the stud 15 andeventually cause it to be bent in the path of the force tending to drawbelt portion 6I away from portion 62. In the arrangements of Figures 6and 7, however, the stud 75 merely supplements the action of the beltclamping arrangement and hence remains highly eiective for the life ofthe belt.

While the stud 15 has been shown as centrally disposed between loops 1|and 12, when loop 12 is in its the clamping position, the stud 15 can beso located that it is covered by loop 12 when the latter is in itsclamping position. This has the advantage of more eiectively holding theporti-on 6| in position with respect to stud 15 and also of concealingthe stud.

Conclusion While I have shown and described the arrangement inconnection with a belt worn as an article of clothing apparel, and whilethe invention is particularly adapted for this purpose, it is alsoapplicable to coupling any two members of ilexible yieldable materialtogether. In general, while I have shown certain specific embodiments ofmy invention, it is to be understood that this is for purposes ofillustration and that my invention is to be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a coupling, two portions of flexible yieldable material disposedin overlapping relationship, a member of similar material tapered bothin thickness and width to provide a double wedging action, said memberoverlying one end of a rst of said portions and secured thereto with itsthickest end closest to the effective end of said portion, and aslidable loop surrounding said two overlapping portions and said taperedmember and effective to clamp said overlapping portions together whensaid loop is moved towards the eiective end of said rst portion.

3. In a coupling, an end portion of flexible yieldable material, a wedgeshaped portion of similar material overlying said end portion andsecured thereto with its thickest end outermost, one of said portionsbeing looped around the other, a guiding loop having its inner turnsecured within the looped portion adjacent to the end of the otherportion, a second end portion of ilexible yieldable material extendingthrough the guiding loop and overlapping said rst end portion, and aslidable loop surrounding said two overlapping portions and said wedgeshaped portion and effective to clamp said portions together when saidloop is moved outwardly.

3. In a coupling, two portions of ilexible yieldable material disposedin overlapping relationship, a wedge shaped portion of similar materialoverlying one end of a first of said overlapping portions and securedthereto with its thickest end closest to the eiTective end of saidportion, said wedge shaped member being tapered both as to thickness andwidth to provide wedging action in two directions, and a slidable loopsurrounding said two overlapping portions and said wedge shaped portionand effective to clamp said overlapping portions together when said loopis moved towards the effective end of said rst portion.

4i. In a coupling, two portions of flexible yieldable material disposedin overlapping relationship, a member of similar material looped aroundone end of a first of said portions and secured thereto, both ends ofsaid member being tapered as to thickness so as to be Wedge shaped andthe end facing said other portion being also tapered as to width, and aslidable loop surrounding said two overlapping portions and the wedgeshaped ends of said member and eiective to clamp said overlappingportions together when said loop is moved towards the end of said iirstportion.

5. In a coupling, two portions of iiexible yieldable material disposedin overlapping relationship, a wedge shaped portion of similar materialoverlying one end of a first of said overlapping portions and securedthereto with its thickest end closest to the effective end of said firstportion, a stud having a head secured between said wedge shaped portionand said rst portion and a stern projecting towards the other of saidoverlapping portions, said other portion having a plurality of aperturesin which said stem can project, and a slidable loop surrounding said twooverlapping portions and said wedge shaped portion and eiective to clampsaid overlapping portions together When said loop is moved towards theeffective end of said first portion.

6. In a belt having two end portions adapted to overlap each other, saidbelt being formed of leather having a finished face and a rough face, amember of similar leather looped around one end of a first of said endportions and secured thereto with its rough face outermost, the ends ofsaid member being tapered so as to be wedge shaped, and a slidable loopsurrounding said wedge shaped member and said i'lrst portion and adaptedto clamp said two portions together when they are placed in overlappingrelationship and the loop is moved in the direction of the end of saidfirst end portion.

HAROLD O. MURPHEY.

